A civil jury in Ireland has ordered mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Conor McGregor to pay nearly €250,000 in damages for sexually assaulting a woman, Nikita Hand, in Dublin in 2018. The verdict was reached on Friday after more than six hours of deliberation by the jury, which included eight women and four men.
The case involved allegations made by Hand, who claimed that McGregor sexually assaulted her during an incident on December 9, 2018, following a work Christmas party. Hand’s lawsuit described how she and a friend had met McGregor after the event, and the group went to a penthouse party in a hotel in south Dublin where drugs and alcohol were consumed. Hand alleged that McGregor took her to a bedroom and sexually assaulted her. She further stated that McGregor put her in a chokehold multiple times, during which she feared for her life.
Hand’s testimony included emotionally charged details of the alleged assault. She claimed that McGregor told her, “Now you know how I felt in the octagon where I tapped out three times,” referencing his past losses in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) matches. She expressed that she feared for her life during the encounter and would never see her daughter again. Hand’s lawyer argued that she was referred to a sexual assault treatment unit the following day, where a doctor documented her injuries, expressing concern over the bruising she had suffered.
McGregor, however, denied the allegations, insisting that the sex was consensual. He described the encounter as "athletic and vigorous" but maintained that it was not rough or violent. McGregor also disputed the claims of bruising, stating that Hand had fabricated the allegations. His defense team presented surveillance footage showing Hand appearing "happy" after leaving the hotel room, which they argued contradicted her claims of assault.
Despite the police investigation into the allegations, prosecutors had decided not to press charges, citing insufficient evidence and the likelihood of a conviction being low.
After the verdict, Nikita Hand expressed gratitude for the support she received and said she felt vindicated. “I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up,” she told the media. The civil case and its outcome have brought renewed attention to the issue of sexual assault and the importance of survivors’ voices being heard.
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